DragonChess is an innovative chess variant created by GM Miguel Illescas and developed in collaboration with EDAMI and Fianchetto.
The core innovation lies in a new piece — the Dragon — which moves like a bishop and a knight combined, adding new layers of strategy while preserving the harmony of classic chess.
Unlike other variants that alter the board or starting position, DragonChess keeps the traditional 8×8 format and standard opening setup. Each player has one Dragon in reserve, which can be deployed on the first rank at any time by sacrificing a move.
At POLIX, we were responsible for turning this idea into a tangible, playable product.
We designed and manufactured a custom set of plastic pieces including a striking new Dragon model, consistent with the classic Staunton style. Our technical team also assisted with early prototyping and small-batch production to validate the design for gameplay and public presentation.
The Dragon piece was created from scratch to balance playability, aesthetics, and functionality on a classic chessboard.
Manufactured in Europe using polymer injection moulding, with optimised processes that reduce waste and unnecessary transport.
Its shape, size and weight follow the Staunton style, making it easy to integrate into standard sets without confusion.
Perfect for educational settings, clubs and tournaments. Its design supports didactic use and visual explanation during gameplay.
DragonChess follows the classic rules of chess, but introduces a powerful new piece: the Dragon. Each player has one Dragon available, which moves like a bishop or a knight — combining both long-range and jumping abilities.
The Dragon starts off the board and can be deployed at any point during the game by placing it on the player’s first rank. Deploying the Dragon costs a full turn and the chosen square must be unoccupied.
Additionally, pawns that reach the 8th rank can be promoted to a Dragon instead of a traditional piece, offering an exciting strategic alternative in the endgame.
DragonChess is both familiar and refreshingly different, adding tactical depth without compromising the essence of the original game.
The idea came from Grandmaster Miguel Illescas, one of Spain’s most influential chess figures and founder of the prestigious EDAMI chess school. With decades of experience as a professional player, trainer, and innovator, Illescas sought to create a variant that would respect the soul of classical chess while introducing a single, strategic twist: the Dragon piece.
The concept was refined and developed in collaboration with Diana Illescas, a key member of the EDAMI team, who played a central role in shaping the game dynamics, testing the variant with players of all levels, and preparing it for educational use. Together, they explored historical chess variants, evaluated player behaviour, and crafted the rules of DragonChess to be intuitive, fair and pedagogically valuable.
At POLIX, we were proud to support this vision by transforming it into a real, physical product, helping bring DragonChess from concept to board with the technical quality and visual identity it deserved.
“Our goal was not to replace classic chess, but to enrich it — to offer something new without losing what we love.”
— GM Miguel Illescas
